2/16/17 – CIOGC condemns bomb threat against Des Plaines mosque

CIOGC condemns and expresses serious concern regarding the bomb threat made by a trespasser yesterday at the Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines (ICCD), a CIOGC member organization.

The suspect, a white middle-aged man carrying a backpack, entered the mosque and reportedly said to a congregant “everything here will be blown up by Friday.” The threat was reported to local police and the FBI by the ICCD and the suspect was taken into custody.

The threat comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s “Muslim ban,” the rise of anti-Muslim rhetoric from Trump’s administration and supporters, as well as the number of anti-Muslim hate groups tripling in 2016, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

CIOGC Chair Dr. Bassam Osman and Ex-Officio Board Member, Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, attended a press conference led by CAIR-Chicago on February 16 to condemn the bomb threat and show support for ICCD.

“We take these threats seriously and are working with law enforcement and community partners to increase protection of Chicagoland Muslim institutions and communities,” said Dr. Bassam Osman, Chair of CIOGC. “We are currently maintaining close contact with the ICCD to provide our support during this challenging time.”